Tuesday, February 14, 2017

A Manhattan Psychiatrist Must Be Licensed To Practice Medicine


By Marissa Velazquez


When someone is in need of attention for a mental health disorder, the qualified manhattan psychiatrist will have an extensive, required education. The difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is the second has a medical degree and the first has a doctorate. Years of education go into earning either of these distinctions.

The patient who requires prescription medication to manage his or her condition turns to the psychiatrist for a diagnosis. Although this medical professional can offer counseling as well, most often a combination of care from both is effective. Psychiatric diagnosis ordinarily begins with a physical exam followed by whatever tests are deemed necessary.

There are cases in which a mental disorder results from a physical condition. There are many possibilities such as a brain tumor or disease and excessive use of recreational drugs or alcohol. A stroke may also cause mental impairment of some severity.

The extensive educational requirements for becoming a psychiatrist begin with earning a four-year medical degree. Next is practice during the four years of a psychiatric residency. Time must be spent in internal or pediatric practice, and two months in neurology, referred to as an internship.

From the date of high school graduation, it takes at least twelve years to qualify to practice psychiatry. If the candidate wants to prepare for a subspecialty, that will add a two year long fellowship to the process. Then an exam is taken for medical licensing. If desired, the individual can apply for board certification, which is optional.

State licensure is mandatory. A federal narcotics license is also required to enable him or her to prescribe what are described as controlled medicines. Finally, he or she must register with an agency called the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Psychotic behavior indicates a mental disorder although it is not a disorder in itself. This symptom may have a physical basis such as a brain tumor. It can also be attributed to an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Death of a loved one or an equally severe event can sometimes cause a psychotic episode. That psychosis does not mean a person is mentally ill.

Schizophrenia is a psychotic illness in which the person hears voices, sometimes telling him or her to cause harm to another person. Although these auditory hallucinations are the most common, they can also be visual or involve any of the senses. The individual will speak in unusual patterns that make no sense. Claiming to be a famous person is another sign of psychosis.

A tool that is used to evaluate psychosis and its severity is the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. It provides information on 18 different aspects of the psychotic episode. In the case of a physical cause, blood tests and brain scans may be used to evaluate the state of mind.

Controlling the odd symptoms and deciding between hospitalization and outpatient care is most urgent. If any suicidal ideation is present, the patient likely needs inpatient care. Psychotropic drugs may help control symptoms.

The extensive education and experience of the manhattan psychiatrist prepares him or her to quickly assess an emergency such as suicidal intent. A decision must be made on hospitalization versus outpatient treatment. In many cases, a combination of medication along with counseling, also referred to as talk therapy, is successful in resolving issues whether they are an emergency or one that can be resolved on an outpatient basis.




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